Sputum-cup.



E. B. GIERTSEN, R. SKANCKE & A.'N. BUHLER.

SPUTUM CUP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912.

1,087,009, Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA ANOGRAFH c0.v WAsMm c.

E. B. GIE'RTSBN, R. SKANCKE & A. N. B'GHLE SPUTUM CUP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912.

1,087,009. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETSLSHEET 2.

mum-u MIA?" C0" WASHINGTON. D- C.

EDWARD B. GIERTSEN, OF BERGEN, AND ROALD SKANCKE AND ANTON NICOLAIBbHLER, 0F CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY.

SPUTUlVI-GUP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1c, mi.

Application filed .Tune 12, 1912. Serial No. 705,354.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, EDWARD B. GrnnrsnN, aresident of Bergen, and Roam) SKANOKE and ANToN NIOOLAI Bonnier,residents of Christiania, Norway, all citizens of the NorwegianMonarchy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sputum-Cups, of which the following is a specification, accompanied bydrawings.

This invention relates to sputum cups or receptacles having a coverwhich fits within the interior of the container portion of the cup andmakes a tight-closing fit therewith, and a handle for said cover inwhich the center of gravity of the cup at all times remains.

Further objects of the invention are to provide such a cover which iseasily opened by means of the handle, and which tends at all times toremain in a closed position, and which can only be opened to a positionless than vertical to the base of the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cup composed ofcombustible material, impregnated with an impervious material, thecontainer portion of which is strengthened by virtue of its structuralform, and which container and cover are such as to permit of ready andcheap manu facture and such as to facilitate packing and shipping of thesame when desired.

1th these and other objects in view, we have devised a simple and novelcup or receptacle which we will now describe, reference being made tothe drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate correspond ingparts in each of the several figures.

Figure l is a side view of the cup and Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3shows a transverse section with the cover in open position. Fig. 4:shows a transverse section of the cup with a modified handle, the coverbeing in open position.

In the drawings, a is the container, which may be made of paper,cardboard, wood pulp or other combustible material, preferablyimpregnated with a water-tight combustible compound, whose sides 6 areconcave outward and bent in at the bottom, and so aid in stiffening thematerial of the container.

The cover A fits on the inner side of the container, the concavity ofthe container walls permitting of a tight fit, the cover fitting theentire circumference of the container below the edge and being providedwith a flange B insuring a closing surface at all points.

The cover A is divided into two sections along line D the smaller one Eof which is fastened to the sides and edges of the container by suitablepasting means, preferably by means of clips or other fasteners. Thelarger section F of the cover is hinged to the smaller section E alongthe line D.

The cover is made of wood or other material, and has attached to it ahandle which also may be made of wood, but preferably of two strips ofcardboard G and H, one shorter than the other pasted together to form asupporting or steering member for the cover when lifted. The smallerstrip G is hinged to E at J by any suitable taping or other fasteningdevice, while at its other end K it is secured to F at L'by means of atape or cord M. The other strip H forms a bent-up portion N forming afinger piece, and its ree end 0 abuts against the cover flange B whichacts as a stop to the supporting or steering member.

When the cup is lifted by the handle or finger piece N the cover opens;if only lifted slightly, the handle serves such steering or guidingpurposes as necessary to prevent any wabbling or side motion of the cup,while the cover closes downward due to its own weight.

It is easily seen that the length of the strips G and H regulate theextent of the opening of the cover, the center of gravity of the cupremaining in the handle and the cover is so designed that it may openonly to a position not more than vertical relative'to the container. Itmay also be easily seen that but little exertion is required of thepatient to lift the cover or to steer or-steady the cup and nonewhatsoever to close it, the cup being of light weight and its center ofgravity remaining in the handle.

' Fig. 4: shows a modified handle arrangement wherein the handle is onlysecured to the larger section F of the cover. The finger piece N passesthrough a hole or slot P in X, and, being made of pliable material, maybe flattened out when so desired. On line with hinge D there is provideda stop or lug Y which prevents the opening of the cover to-more than avertical position while affording means for opening the cover by simplypressing down on the lug. This modified construction, in view of thehandle being such as to permit of its being flattened out, affords easyshipping arrangements, as the containers may be packed one inside theother and the covers one on top of the other.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying draw ings, the operation and advantages of our inventionwill be readily understood.

Having thus described some of the embodimer of our invention, what weclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a cup of thecharacter described, the combination of a cover comprising two sectionshinged together and a pliable fin ger piece attached to one of saidsections, the lci'igth of which prohibits the further open ing of saidcover when the cover is lifted av certain amount.

2. A sputum cup comprising an outwardly concayed container and a covertherefor comprising two sections hinged together, a flange attached. tosaid cover to insure a tight-closing lit between container and cover andmovable members attached to said cover one of which abuts the flangewhen the cover is lifted a certain amount.

3. in a cup of the character described, the combination with a covercomprising two sections hinged together of a flange attached to saidcover and two movable members attached to said cover one of which abutsthe flange when the cover is lifted a certain amount.

4-. in a cup of the character described, the coi'nbination with a covercomprising two sections hinged together of a flange attached to saidcover and two movable members attached to said cover one of which abutsthe flange when the cover is lifted acertain amount, both of saidmovable members es/ ee being connected and acting as a steering memberfor the cup.

5. A. cup of the character described comprising a container, a covertherefor comprising two sections hinged together, a flange attached tosaid cover so as to insure a tight-closing fit between container andcover, said cover being adapted to fit beneath the top edge of and onthe interior side of the container, and movable members attached to saidcover the length of one of which limits the amount of opening of saidcorer while the said members together act as a steering member for saidcup.

6. ll sputum cup comprising a container having outwardly concav'ed sideand bentin bottom portions and a detachable cover therefor adaptedto'fit beneath the top edge of and on the interior side of saidcontainer, said cover comprising a flange portion to in sureatight-closing fit between container and cover and a pliable movablesteering member for the cup attached to said cover which limits thean'iount of opening of said cover substantially as described and for thepurposes set forth.

in testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of May 1912-.

EDWARD l3. GIlER-f .SEN. ll itnesses A. U. Trr'riimnn,

ltos'rnor.

In testin'iony whereof we have signed this basics at this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ofEnteritis, Washington, 3. Q.

